Sleeve for engaging a food container with condiment holder formed thereon

ABSTRACT

A sleeve having a condiment holder formed thereon is provided. The sleeve includes a sleeve wall having an upper edge, a lower edge, an upper opening and a lower opening. The upper opening is wider than the lower opening. The sleeve has an inward taper from the upper opening to the lower opening. At least one condiment holder is provided at a preselected position on the outer surface of the sleeve wall.

[0001] This invention relates to the field of condiment holders and,more particularly, to a sleeve for use with a food container having acondiment holder formed thereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Snack foods, such as french fries, nacho chips, or pretzelnuggets, are often eaten along with condiments including ketchup,dipping sauce, melted cheese, and the like. The aforementioned snackfoods are often enjoyed at sporting events, arenas or concerts. In thoseenvironments, a person has a cramped space in which to enjoy their snackfood and, thus, eating can at times be difficult. In addition, people atsporting events, arenas or concerts often have both hands occupied,perhaps holding a beverage in one hand, and their snack food of choicein the other.

[0003] Snack foods are often served in a food container cup forconvenient and economic reasons. Most people prefer to dip their snackfood into the ketchup or other dipping sauce, thus regulating the amountof ketchup or other dipping sauce to suit their personal preference.However, when a cup or similar container is used to dispense the snackfood, as is the case at, for example, arenas, a person must apply theketchup or other dipping sauce directly to the top layer of snack food.This results in the top layer of snack food being immersed in ketchup ordipping sauce, and the lower layers of snack food completely devoid ofany of the desired ketchup or dipping sauce. In addition, a person mustinevitably dip their fingers into the ketchup or dipping sauce in orderto take the snack food from the top layer.

[0004] Attempts have been made to have a condiment holder which can beused in conjunction with a cup. However, these attempts have severaldrawbacks. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,262 (Sharkey) discloses acondiment cup having prongs that permit the condiment cup to be clippedto the upper edge of a food container. Such a condiment cup placed atthe top of a food container can easily cause a food container to tipover, spilling its contents on the user. For example, a thick dippingsauce, such as melted cheese, could easily topple the food container towhich the condiment cup is clipped. This is more likely as a personconsumes the contents of the food container, whereby the food containercup will become lighter and topple more easily. In addition, there isvery little support for the condiment cup, as the prongs must carry theweight of the condiment cup, plus the weight of the ketchup or dippingsauce.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,362 (Rosenfeld), discloses a food containerand condiment holder, in which the food container is speciallymanufactured having a slit formed in the wall of the container. Acondiment holder with a tab is slid into the slit. This arrangement hasa number of problems. As a threshold matter, there is the prohibitivecost of manufacturing special cups with the required slits. If thisarrangement is manufactured with several slits, there is also theproblem of compromising the integrity of the food container. Thisarrangement is also problematic in that the tab on the condiment holdermust be of a particular strength to support the condiment holder and theketchup or dipping sauce placed in the condiment holder.

[0006] Thus, there is the need for a condiment holder that can be usedin connection with any commercially available food container or cup.There is also the need for a condiment holder that can be secured firmlyto a food container, without having to specially manufacture foodcontainers for receiving such a condiment holder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention provides an article that satisfies the needfor a condiment holder that can be adapted to be used in connection withmany existing food containers. The present invention provides a trulyinnovative and effective solution to this need.

[0008] A condiment holder having features of the present inventioncomprises a sleeve having a sleeve wall with an upper edge defining anupper opening and a lower edge defining a lower opening, the upperopening being wider than the lower opening. The sleeve wall also has anouter surface and an inner surface. At least one condiment holder isformed at a preselected position on the outer surface of the sleevewall. The condiment holder defines a space for receiving condiments.Alternately, the condiment holder defines a space for receiving acondiment cup.

[0009] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent in light of the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments thereof, as illustrated in theaccompanying figures. As will be realized, the invention is capable ofmodifications in various respects, all without departing from theinvention. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to beregarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings showa form of the invention which is presently preferred. However, it shouldbe understood that this invention is not limited to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings.

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the sleeve andcondiment holder of the present invention in use with a food container.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the embodiment shownin FIG. 1 of the sleeve and condiment holder of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the sleeveand condiment holder of the present invention in use with a foodcontainer.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the embodiment shownin FIG. 3 of the sleeve and condiment holder of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the sleeveand condiment holder of the present invention in use with a foodcontainer.

[0016]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the embodiment shownin FIG. 5 of the sleeve and condiment holder of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the sleeveand condiment holder of the present invention in use with a foodcontainer.

[0018]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the embodiment shownin FIG. 7 of the sleeve and condiment holder of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 9 is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 of thesleeve and condiment holder of the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the sleeveand condiment holder of the present invention in use with a foodcontainer.

[0021]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the sleeveand condiment holder of the present invention in use with a foodcontainer.

[0022]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of the embodiment shownin FIG. 11 of the sleeve and condiment holder of the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the sleeveand condiment holder of the present invention wherein the condimentholder is a foldable pocket.

[0024]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the sleeveand condiment holder of the present invention wherein the sleeve isformed from a double wall.

[0025]FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of a the embodiment shown inFIG. 14 taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 14 of the sleeve and condimentholder of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to likeelements, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention generallycomprises a sleeve 10 having a sleeve wall 12 with an upper edge 14, alower edge 16, an outer surface 28, and an inner surface 30. An upperopening 18 is formed by the upper edge 14. A lower opening 20 is formedby the lower edge 16. The upper opening is larger than the lower openingsuch that the wall 12 tapers inwardly from the upper edge 14 to thelower edge 16. In this arrangement, the sleeve 12 is designed to receiveand engage with the side wall of a food container 22. The sleeve 10 canbe formed to any size to accommodate existing food containers. However,the construction of the sleeve is particularly adapted to be used withconventional tapered containers. Upon receiving a tapered food containerat the upper opening 18, the sleeve 10 is adapted to slide up the wall24 of the food container 22.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve 10 is formed as afrustoconical wall 12, as shown in FIG. 1. However, it is contemplatedthat the sleeve 10 may be formed in any geometry including rectangular.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve 10 is sized to slide ontothe food container 22, and to grip the wall 24 of the food container 22via friction. The sleeve 10 is preferably formed so as to grip the wall24 of the food container 22 at a point generally near the foodcontainer's 22 center of gravity. In this manner, the food container 22will not tip over once the sleeve 10 is placed around the food container22. Because the sleeve 10 extends around the entire food container 22,the present invention has an integrity not provided by previouscondiment holders.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, at least one condiment holder 26 isformed at a preselected position extending from the outer surface 28 ofthe sleeve wall 12. It is contemplated that the condiment holder 26 canbe formed at any preselected position on the outer surface 28 of thesleeve wall 12. The condiment holder 26 is generally formed as a cup 30having a side wall 32 extending from the outer surface 28 and defining arecess for receiving condiments.

[0030] In another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 3and 4, a sleeve 34 as described above has a condiment holder 36integrally formed on the outer surface 38 of the sleeve 34. Thecondiment holder 36 has a first side wall 40, a second side wall 42opposite the first side wall 40 and spaced apart from the first sidewall 40, a bottom wall 44, and an outer wall 46 defining a space forreceiving condiments. The walls of the condiment holder are sealedtogether to form a leakproof receptacle.

[0031] In another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 5and 6, a sleeve 48 as described above has an outer surface 49 providedwith a condiment holder 50 formed thereon. The condiment holder 50 ofthis embodiment is formed as a condiment cup 52 with a tab 54 extendingfrom the condiment cup 52. The cup 52 is attached to and extends fromthe outer surface 49 via tab 54.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the condiment holder 56 can also beformed as a condiment cup support 57 having an opening 58 sized toaccept a removable conventional condiment cup 60. The condiment cupsupport 57 is attached to and extends from the sleeve 64 via tab 62. Thecondiment cup support 57 can be positioned at any location on the sleeve64. It is appreciated that the condiment cup support 57 can be formed toanswer size necessary to accommodate a condiment cup of any chosen size.For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the condiment cup support 57 can beformed having a wall 59, which provides additional support to thecondiment cup 60.

[0033] In another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS.11 and 12, a sleeve 66 as described above has an outer surface 68, witha condiment holder 70 extending from the outer surface 68. The condimentholder 70 has a condiment cup holding wall 72, with a first edge 74 anda second edge 76 attached to the outer surface 68 at spaced apartlocations so as to define a loop. The condiment cup holding wall 72forms a space for receiving a conventional condiment cup, such as thecondiment cup 60 pictured in FIG. 7.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 11, the sleeve 66 can be formed havingprotrusions 78 extending from the inner surface 80 of the sleeve 66 inorder to assist in gripping a food container. Such protrusions 78 can beformed as knobs, flanges, indentations or any other suitable raisedmember to provide friction between the inner surface 80 of the sleeveand a food container.

[0035] In yet another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.13, a sleeve 82 is provided with a condiment holder 84 formed as afold-out pocket 86 extending from the outer surface 88 of the sleevewall 90. The pocket 86 has a first foldable side wall 92, a secondfoldable 94 side wall opposite the first foldable side wall 92, and anouter wall 96 defining a space for receiving a condiment. Each foldablewall 92, 94 extends from and is foldably attached to the outer surface88. The pocket 86 can be originally provided in a collapsed position,with the outer wall 96 resting against the outer surface 88 of thesleeve wall 90.

[0036] In a further embodiment of the present invention, as shown inFIGS. 14 and 15, a sleeve 100 is formed having an outer wall 102surrounding an inner wall 104. The outer wall 102 has upper and loweredges 106, 108, and has an inward taper from the upper edge 106 to thelower edge 108. The inner wall 104 has upper and lower edges 110, 112,and has an inward taper from the upper edge 106 to the lower edge 112.The outer wall 102 and inner wall 104 are connected at their upper edgesby a transverse wall 114. The outer wall 102, inner wall 104, andtransverse wall 114 define a space for receiving the upper rim of aconventional food container. According to this embodiment, the sleeve100 can be slid over the upper rim of a food container, providing for avery sturdy attachment. A condiment holder 116, which can be in the formof any of the condiment holders previously described herein, extendsfrom the outer surface 118 outer wall 102.

[0037] It is also contemplated that the sleeve and condiment holder ofthe present invention can be manufactured so as to be stacked in anesting position. Thus, the sleeve and condiment holder can be shippedto vendors in a convenient and space-saving format.

[0038] A method of serving snack foods and condiments with the sleeve ofthe present invention is also provided. In use, a vendor at, forexample, a sports arena will fill a food container with a customer'sdesired snack food. The vendor will then slide the sleeve of the presentinvention around the food container until the sleeve is snug on the foodcontainer. The vendor or customer can fill the condiment holder with thecustomer's desired condiment, such as ketchup, melted cheese, or adipping sauce, either before or after sliding the sleeve around the foodcontainer.

[0039] It is appreciated that the sleeve and condiment holder can beformed from plastic, cardboard, or any acceptable material. If formedfrom cardboard, the sleeve can be shipped in a folded state, forspace-saving reasons. The condiment holder may be formed separate fromthe sleeve and affixed thereto, or may be formed as an integral part ofthe sleeve.

[0040] The present invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and,accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, ratherthan to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sleeve for engaging a food container having acondiment holder formed thereon, the sleeve comprising: a. a sleeve wallhaving an upper edge, a lower edge, an inner surface and an outersurface, the upper edge of the sleeve wall defining an upper opening,the lower edge of the sleeve wall defining a lower opening, the upperopening being larger than the lower opening, the sleeve wall having aninward taper from the upper opening to the lower opening; b. at leastone condiment holder formed at a preselected position on the outersurface of the sleeve wall.
 2. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the atleast one condiment holder comprises a cup having a side wall extendingfrom the outer surface of the sleeve wall and defining a recess forreceiving a condiment.
 3. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the at leastone condiment holder comprises a first side wall, a second side wallopposite and spaced apart from the first side wall, a bottom wall, andan outer wall, the condiment holder defining a space for receiving acondiment.
 4. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the at least one condimentholder comprises a condiment cup having a tab extending therefrom, thetab attached to the outer surface of the sleeve wall.
 5. The sleeve ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one condiment holder comprises a condimentcup support having an opening for receiving a condiment cup.
 6. Thesleeve of claim 1, wherein the at least one condiment holder comprises acondiment cup holding wall having a first edge and a second edge, thefirst edge and the second edge attaching to the outer surface of thesleeve wall at spaced apart locations, the condiment cup holding walldefining an opening for receiving a condiment cup.
 7. The sleeve ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one condiment holder comprises a fold-outpocket, the pocket having a first foldable wall extending from the outersurface of the sleeve wall, a second foldable wall extending from theouter surface of the sleeve wall and spaced apart from the firstfoldable wall, and an outer wall extending from the outer surface of thesleeve wall and connecting the first foldable wall and second foldablewall, the pocket defining a space for receiving a condiment.
 8. Thesleeve of claim 1, wherein the sleeve wall has at least one protrusionextending from the inner surface of the sleeve wall, the at least oneprotrusion adapted to provide friction for engaging a food container. 9.The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the sleeve wall has a frustoconicalshape.
 10. A sleeve for engaging a food container having a condimentholder formed thereon, the sleeve comprising: a. an outer wall having anupper edge, a lower edge, an inner surface and an outer surface, theupper edge of the outer wall defining an upper opening, the lower edgeof the outer wall defining a lower opening, the upper opening beinglarger than the lower opening, the outer wall having an inward taperfrom the upper opening to the lower opening; b. an inner wall locatedradially inward from the outer wall, the inner wall having an upperedge, a lower edge, an inner surface and an outer surface, the upperedge of the inner wall defining an upper opening, the lower edge of theinner wall defining a lower opening, the upper opening being larger thanthe lower opening, the inner wall having an inward taper from the upperopening to the lower opening; c. a transverse wall extending from theupper edge of the outer wall to the upper edge of the inner wall, theouter wall, inner wall and transverse wall defining a space forreceiving a lip of food container; and, d. at least one condiment holderformed at a preselected position on the outer surface of the outer wall.11. The sleeve of claim 10, wherein the at least one condiment holdercomprises a cup having a side wall extending from the outer surface ofthe outer wall and defining a recess for receiving a condiment.
 12. Thesleeve of claim 10, wherein the at least one condiment holder comprisesa first side wall, a second side wall opposite and spaced apart from thefirst side wall, a bottom wall, and an outer wall, the condiment holderdefining a space for receiving a condiment.
 13. The sleeve of claim 10,wherein the at least one condiment holder comprises a condiment cuphaving a tab extending therefrom, the tab attached to the outer surfaceof the outer wall.
 14. The sleeve of claim 10, wherein the at least onecondiment holder comprises a condiment cup support having an opening forreceiving a condiment cup.
 15. The sleeve of claim 10, wherein the atleast one condiment holder comprises a condiment cup holding wall havinga first edge and a second edge, the first edge and the second edgeattaching to the outer surface of the outer wall at spaced apartlocations, the condiment cup holding wall defining an opening forreceiving a condiment cup.
 16. The sleeve of claim 10, wherein the atleast one condiment holder comprises a fold-out pocket, the pockethaving a first foldable wall extending from the outer surface of theouter wall, a second foldable wall extending from the outer surface ofthe outer wall and spaced apart from the first foldable wall, and anouter wall extending from the outer surface of the outer wall andconnecting the first foldable wall and second foldable wall, the pocketdefining a space for receiving a condiment.
 17. The sleeve of claim 10,wherein the outer wall has at least one protrusion extending from theinner surface of the outer wall, the at least one protrusion adapted toprovide friction for engaging a food container.
 18. The sleeve of claim10, wherein the outer wall and inner wall have a frustoconical shape.19. A method of serving snack foods and condiments, comprising: a.filling a food container with a snack food; b. sliding a sleeve having acondiment holder formed thereon around the food container until thesleeve is snug on the food container.